A lifeline was thrown to Scotland’s night time economy yesterday as £11.75 million was given out in emergency funding to music venues, nightclubs and comedy venues across Scotland from the Scottish government’s Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund.
The funding, being delivered through Creative Scotland, went to 203 organisations, although 348 organisations applied. Nightclubs received £3.15m accounting for 27% of the funding with music venues receiving just under a million- 8% . Glasgow venues received in excess of £4.5m while Edinburgh venues benefitted by £3.1m.
A full list of recipients has been published and they included:
Glasgow venues: The Admiral Bar – £75,000, The Sanctuary – £150,000; Grand Old Opry – £75,000; The Garage – £150,000; Cathouse- £150,000; Oran Mor – £250,000; Cosmopol – £75,000; Savoy – £150,000; Firewater – £105,000; The Shed – £75,000. Edinburgh saw funding for Opal Louge, Eastside & Lulu — £150,000; Boteco do Brasil, Edinburgh £75,000 & Glasgow – £100,000; The Stand – £250,000; The Corn Exchange – £100,000; with further funding across the country. Nethergate Pubs in Fife received £70,000; Fat Sams and Aura, Dundee – £150,000; City Falkirk – £140,000; The Epic Group, Aberdeen – £100,000; Fubar. Stirling – £145,000; 30’s, Sugar in Renfrewshire – £150,000.
However this is not the end, there is a second tranche of funding which will be announced within the next two weeks.
Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop said, “The Scottish Government is determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis.
“This emergency funding will provide vital support to a wide range of cultural organisation nd venues across Scotland currently facing extreme challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am pleased to see such a wide range of organisations supported, from comedy clubs and theatres to galleries and production companies.”
Iain Munro, CEO Creative Scotland said, “The negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Scotland’s creative and cultural sector are clearly ongoing, and we will continue to keep focussed, with the Scottish Government and other partners, on helping those people and organisations most in need.”
Donald Macleod MBE owner of the Garage and Cathouse in Glasgow, who has campaigned vigorously for support for the late night economy said, “It has been a good week. First the furlough announcement and then the funding. It has been a long time coming. It was desperately needed and it will go a long way to saving jobs and our iconic venues.”
He continued, “I am delighted for everyone that has benefitted. But why did we have to wait eight months for this support when it was clear from the outset that we needed it? I have been fighting for natural justice for our industry and the right to survive now we must move on to the practical issue of a re-opening strategy. I will continue to work with government to ensure we can open. Hold fast.”